On Saturday, the No. 20 ASU women’s tennis team defeated Texas Tech 4–1, but fell 6–1 against USC in the regional finals of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend on Sunday in Tempe.
Coach Sheila McInerney is not worried.
“Crazy as it sounds, there were some positives,” she said. “We had chances, but some matches got away from us.”
Saturday started with a strong performance from the pair of sophomore Jacqueline Cako and junior Nicole Smith, beating sophomore Samantha Adams and freshman Kenna Kilgo 8–5.
Senior Michelle Brycki and freshman Joanna Smith clinched the doubles point with an 8-4 win over junior Caroline Starck and sophomore Nikki Sanders.
Earlier in the week, McInerney questioned whether Brycki would play because of a knee problem, but said she “was more than ready to play this weekend.”
On the singles court, the Sun Devils clinched three sets and let two go into default.
ASU’s top seeded player, No. 9 Cako defeated junior Elizabeth Ullathorne 6–2, 6–1.
Brycki also added a point to ASU’s board when she defeated Adams 6–3, 6–2.
Nicole Smith won the clinching point for the Sun Devils in a difficult set, eventually claiming a 6–4, 6–3 victory over junior Sandra Dynka.
After being hampered by injuries for years, the victory for Nicole Smith was much more than just a win.
“Nicky getting the clincher was great,” McInerney said. “It was a tough matchup, but I thought she battled and I’m proud of her.”
The 4–1 victory over Texas Tech set the Sun Devils up to play USC on Sunday, after the Pac-12 rival beat Sacramento State 7–0 earlier in the day.
Sunday opened with discouraging doubles results for the Sun Devils.
The pairs of Brycki and Joanna Smith, and freshman Leighann Sahagun and senior Sianna Simmons, each lost 8–2.
Cako and Nicole Smith didn’t finish their set.
On the singles courts, it didn’t look much better with Cako claiming the only victory. She won a tough three set match against freshman Zoe Scandalis 7–6, 3–6, 10–6.
Simmons fell to sophomore Kaitlyn Christian 7-6 (4), 6-2.
“Sianna played quite well,” McInerney said. “She had chances, just didn’t pull through at the end.”
Sahagun lost to senior Alison Ramos after a hard-fought first set, 7–5, 6-3. It was Sahagun’s first action in a few weeks as she was sidelined with an injury.
“It was good see Leighann play,” McInerney said. “She had an opportunity to win, but was somewhat rusty.”
Despite disappointing results, McInerney said the team is still in good spirits.
“We’re feeling pretty good because often today the girls were right there in the matches,” McInerney said. “But no one is overconfident after today.”
On Feb. 5, the Sun Devils will take on the University of San Diego at home. McInerney said she filmed the matches against Texas Tech and USC so players can see where they need to improve.
McInerney said she is confident the team’s stumbles against USC will serve to motivate her players and help them capitalize on opportunity in future play.
“It’s the teams that convert big points that win,” McInerney said. “We just need to get tougher.”
Reach the reporter at dkmcinty@asu.edu
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